Vision - Poem

Vision -

With multitudes following, Jesus of Nazareth was heard passing by

   When nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side

And cried, “Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me”

   The nearby crowd rebuked this man of faith, who could not see

Then, he called, more loudly, “Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me”

   Bringing him close, Jesus asked, “What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee?”

“Lord, that I may receive my sight,” was his fervent plea

   Christ commanded, “Receive thy sight, thy faith hath saved thee.”

Being a disciple among growing throngs that continue to follow him

   I wonder how my voice is heard, among many who worship him?

Calling from quiet, hidden places, I plead for the blessings I need

   And feel Him beckon and question, “What wilt thou that I shall do unto Thee?”

Discovering the gift to personal relationship, within closet and private prayer

   When I faithfully call out, he turns about, and looks at my need and despair

My hungering cry, his precious lamb, he listens, directs and feeds

   My vision heals and I behold, his individual love and tender mercy

By Janice Harten

Jul 27, 2007

Luke 18
Copyright © 2012 Janice Harten.  All rights reserved.

Morning Musings

What is character?  Each morning, when I awaken, my choices stare me in the face.  Read?  TV?  Prayer?  Exercise?  Work?  Serve?  Do nothing? etc....  Flying solo, at home, for weeks at a time, while my husband travels for business, has presented a personal test of will power and character.  Is time my friend or enemy?  What are my true motivations and catalysts?  Am I honest with myself?  Good intentions are not enough to be a true reflection of character.  Good intentions only present an opportunity to act.  Choice is power over good intentions.  And action is power over choice.  Action is only the next step to "becoming" something.  And, over time the "doing" has to become automatic, innate, instinctive.  But, becoming, is more than any doing.  It is more than what we are, it is who we are.

Then the first question should be, what or who do I want to become?  That influences my decision on what and how I read, watch, eat, pray, work, serve, or ponder.  If I am simply going through the motions, without a clear goal in mind, then my actions, although well intentioned, are directionless and unproductive.  Like a pilot who knows how to technically fly a plane, but doesn't know where he wants to fly to, finds himself flying in circles and never getting anywhere.  Is there an understandable path?  Can I actually predict where my actions will lead?

That leads me to this most important question; how do my goals and desires match up with what God wants for me?  Can my very best attempts get me where I truly want to be?  Or, how do I sincronize my efforts and gain the Lord's spiritual vision, guidance and help?  Maybe, now, I have discovered the very first and ongoing step.